Image processing system to detect changes to target objects using base object models

Abstract

An image processing system detects changes in objects, such as damage to automobiles, by comparing a base object model, which depicts the object in an expected condition, to one or more target images of the object in the changed condition. The image processing system first processes a target object image to detect one or more predefined landmarks in the target object image and corrects for camera and positional distortions by determining a camera model for the target object image based on the detected landmarks. The image processing system then determines contours of the target object within the target object image by overlaying an aligned base object model with the target object image, removes background pixels or other extraneous information based on this comparison, and then performs a statistical processing routine on the identified target object image to detect changes, the likelihood of changes, and/or a quantification of an amount or type of change, to the target object as depicted in the target object image as compared to the base object model.